BlackboxMyCar | Dash Cam Installation: 2019 Volkswagen Golf R x BlackVue DR900X-2CH Plus + CM100G LTE + BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 Battery Pack

This photo blog will show how we installed a BlackVue DR900X Plus 2-Channel dash cam into the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R, along with the BlackVue CM100 LTE Module, a BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 Dash Cam Battery Pack, and an Escort radar detector. If you're considering installing a dash cam, we recommend the Blackbox MyCar Essential Install Kit. The BlackboxMyCar Essential Install Kit comes with a circuit tester, trim remover tool, and other handy tools to make the hardwiring and installation process more manageable.

One of the best applications of Cloud connectivity is impact push notifications during parking mode. For instance, when the dash cam detects an impact during parking mode, it not only locks a copy of the event footage on the microSD card but also auto-backs up a copy to the Cloud. In addition, it will send a push notification to your smartphone app. In other words, Cloud connectivity lets you stay on top of parking events. This way, you stay on top of all parking incidents anytime, anywhere.

While the BlackVue DR750X-2CH LTE Plus is the ultimate connected dash cam, its front camera only records in 1080p Full HD. The best setup for those who want better video quality, the best setup is the BlackVue DR900X Plus 4K UHD with the BlackVue CM100 LTE Module.

We installed the BlackVue DR900X Plus dash cam with the CM100G LTE Module and the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 battery pack into this 2019 Volkswagen Golf R.

The BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 dash cam battery pack measures 151mm x 204.8mm x 32.6mm (5.94in x 8.06in x 1.28in), making it easy to hide under the driver or passenger seat or in the glove compartment.

For this installation, we stored the battery pack underneath the driver's side seat, as it is the closest spot to the inner fuse panel under the instrument panel on the driver's side. Use the included velcro strips to help prevent the battery pack from sliding around under the seat.

Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

The owner of this Volkswagen requested an installation with parking mode using the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 battery pack as a power source for the dash cam. The PowerCell 8 battery pack and the Escort radar detector will be hardwired to the car’s battery via the car’s fuse panel.

So, the first step is to locate the fuse panel. The fuse panel on this 2019 Volkswagen is located right under the instrument panel on the driver's side.

Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

The BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 hardwiring kit is a 2-wire cable, one for ACC (constant) and ground. You need to look for an empty fuse slot or one you can piggyback off using the add-a-fuse kit included in the BlackboxMyCar Essential Install Kit. Use the circuit tester in the Essential Install Kit to help you find a suitable continuous power fuse that is less than 10A. Always refer to the Fuses section in the vehicle's owner's manual to avoid fuse slots that could pertain to certain safety features within your car.

Once hardwired, the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 battery pack will recharge itself when you turn on the ignition, and when you power down the car, the dash cam will be able to draw power from the battery pack to run parking mode.

Using the circuit testing in the Essential Install Kit, find a fuse that turns off and on with the car’s ignition - so that the radar detector doesn’t drain your car battery when you’ve turned off the car (and when you start the car, the radar detector turns back on). Again, you will look for an empty fuse slot or one you can piggyback off using the add-a-fuse kit included in the Essential Install Kit.

The ideal place for the front camera is behind the rearview mirror

The ideal place to mount the forward-facing camera is behind the rearview mirror because it hides the dash cam from the driver’s line of sight and avoids any obstruction while driving. Luckily, BlackVue’s signature slender cylindrical shape makes it easy to position the DR900X Plus behind the rearview mirror.

Don’t forget to check how far the wiper goes because if you mount the front-facing camera above the wiper's reach, it will not have a clear vision. You want to make sure you are mounting the dash cam in a spot so you can always get a clear windscreen in front of it.

Also important is to clean the windshield from the inside of the car to ensure the camera sticks properly and to clean off any marks or smears that might affect the video quality of your footage.

We recommend mounting the radar detector as high up in the vehicle as possible so that the detector has a good range of radar detection. The most common and standard location would be on the front windshield, near or around the center of the rearview mirror.

Once you’re happy with the mounting locations, plug in the radar detector power cable.

The BlackVue CM100 LTE Module is an optional external LTE module built that allows your BlackVue DR900X Plus and DR750X Plus dash cam to stay connected to the BlackVue Cloud service anytime, anywhere without the need of a mobile hotspot device.

Insert your SIM card into the CM100G LTE module before mounting it on your front windshield. Remember that the CM100G LTE module is only compatible with North American 4G SIM cards - it is not compatible with 5G cards or any SIM cards from AT&T and Verizon.

The dash cam powers the BlackVue CM100G LTE module, so once it’s mounted and ready, just plug it into the DR900X Plus front camera unit.

Use the provided trim removal tool to gently pull back the headline and panel covers.

Because the battery pack is stowed away underneath the driver's seat, we need to guide the dash cam power cable along the headliner, down the A-pillar, and across the floor to the battery pack. Use the included prying tool to gently pull back the headliner trim to tuck in the cables. Take your time when popping open the A-pillar - it's pretty straightforward but requires patience so you don’t accidentally break any of the clips holding it.

Radar detector: Because you’ve already connected the power cable, bundle the excess cable with a zip tie and find a spot in the pillar where you can stash it away neatly.

BlackVue DR900X Plus: Continue routing the power cable along the weather strip down the door and then route the cable across the floor to the battery pack underneath the driver's seat. Plug the dash cam’s 12V power cable into the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 battery pack’s female 12V socket. Bundle excess cable with a zip tie and find a spot in the pillar where you can hide it out of the way.

Run the rear camera connecting cable along the A-B-C pillars to the rear windshield.

Plug the rear camera connecting cable into the front unit, run the cable along the headliner, and straight down the length of the car to the A, B, and C pillars. Again, don't just run the cable under the rubber seal because it will create a little gap that might prevent the door from sealing properly - you will get wind noise, or worse, water can seep into the car. Take your time to guide the cable under the trim - remove the B pillar covers and use the pry tool to carefully tuck the cable underneath the panel covers.

Look for the hose that connects the chassis to the liftgate.

Plug the rear camera connecting cable into the front unit, run the cable along the headliner, and straight down the length of the car to the A, B, and C pillars. Again, don't just run the cable under the rubber seal because it will create a little gap that might prevent the door from sealing properly - you will get wind noise, or worse, water can seep into the car. Take your time to guide the cable under the trim - remove the B pillar covers and use the pry tool to carefully tuck the cable underneath the panel covers.

Plug the rear camera connecting cable into the rear camera and power your car to turn on the BlackVue DR900X Plus. You will hear a BlackVue greeting prompt.

Suppose you haven't done so, download and install the BlackVue mobile app on your smartphone. Once you’ve powered on the DR900X Plus, enable the built-in WiFi and then connect to the dash cam using the app to check the angle of the front and rear cameras and adjust as needed.

Use the Live View feature to check the viewing angle of the front and rear cameras and adjust if needed.

Planning on installing a dash cam in your car? Check out our Step-by-Step Dash Cam Installation Guide and our selection of handy installation accessories. And if you ever need a hand during the installation process, just call us; our dash cam specialists are available to help!

Looking to have your dash cam professionally installed, we do offer installation services at our Richmond BC location.

Please see some of our other dash cam installations in the BlackboxMyCar Dash Cam Installation Gallery.